Lions edge Sulphur Springs
February 1, 2011

By Steve Shwarts
Herald-Banner Staff

Dartanon Wilson banked in 19 points, while Kenneth Neal pumped in 10 to lead the Greenville Lions to a 52-50 victory over the Sulphur Springs Wildcats Monday at the Lions Den.

With the win Greenville is now 3-5 in District 13-4A play and still has a chance to make the playoffs.

"I'm happy about the win," said Greenville head coach Marcus Smith. "We started out slow. We couldn't make any shots. In the first half Sulphur Springs was outhustling us."

Alvira Frazier chipped in 15 points for Sulphur Springs, while Tre Dean drained 14 for the Wildcats, who fell to 0-9 in district play.

The visiting Wildcats started out fast, outscoring the Lions 12-0 during a four-minute spell in the first quarter. Greenville scored back-to-back baskets to trim the disadvantage to 16-9. Sulphur Springs led 18-11 after the first quarter.

Kadarion Wright made a jumper from the corner to up the Wildcats' lead to 20-11 before Greenville answered with a 6-0 run as Wilson, Ladarrien Davis and Wilson scored to get Greenville within 20-18.

After the two teams battled back and forth for about three minutes, Greenville outscored the visitors 19-16 in the second quarter. The Sulphur Springs lead was 34-30 at the half.

Blake Taylor scored and Davis his a free throw to bring the Lions to within 34-33 with 7:10 remaining in the third quarter.

The Wildcats then scored back to back baskets by Tre Dean and Will Roland to go up 38-33 with 5:40 left in the third.

The Lions would close to within 45-44 at the end of three quarters following a Marquise Taylor dunk.

Greenville's Davis hit a big free throw with 0:06 left to put the Lions up 52-50.

Then Greenville's defense stopped the Wildcats to get the win.

"In the second half we played harder," Smith said. "We persevered in the second half and we finished. We're still in the hunt to get in the playoffs."

Varsity boys

Sulphur Springs 18 16 11 5 --50

Greenville 11 19 14 8 --52

SS: Tre Dean 14, Alvira Frazier 15, Kadarion Wright 4, Tevin Norris 8, Will Roland 8, Colton Wise 2.

G: Anthony Miller 3, JaQuinton Patt 3, Ladarrien Davis 8, Sawyer Harmon 2, Dartannon Wilson 19, Marquise Taylor 5, Blake Taylor 2, Kenneth Neal 10.

Records: SS 7-19, 0-9; G: 7-19, 3-5.

Next game: Greenville at Texas High, Friday.

Junior varsity boys

Sulphur Springs 11 16 9 18 --54

Greenville 23 22 25 14 --84

SS: Bryant 11, Ferrell 11.

G: Jamar Clark 20, Travis Reed 12, Maury Kelly 12.

Freshman boys

Sulphur Springs 11 20 12 18 --61

Greenville 9 10 18 6 --43

SS: Elijah Mosley 20, Isiah Lacy 16.

G: Collen Wilburn 13, Jerry Dickeson 11, John Franklin 10.